A State of Sound Readiness

I was cupbearer to the king. (Nehemiah 1:11b)

To run a marathon requires preparation. A marathon is 26.2 miles. Though it is possible for someone to run a marathon without any training, it is highly improbable that the runner would be standing at the end. Running a marathon requires months of preparation to finish, years of preparation to run it well.

There is the preparation leading up to the marathon and the preparation immediately before the marathon itself. The preparation leading up to the marathon is about conditioning.

The word ‘condition’ means ‘a state of sound readiness; to make familiar through constant practice or use.' [2] To condition yourself means that you are prepared and ready for the established goal. Conditioning does not occur overnight. It is a very disciplined approach.

In the book of Nehemiah, the Lord conditioned him for the task at hand and he was prepared to do the job. Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the king. A cup-bearer was an officer of high rank in royal courts. His confidential relationship with the king gave him a position of great influence. The position of cup-bearer was greatly valued and was given to only a select few throughout history.

Nehemiah was a little captive Jewish boy, exiled in Persia, when the Medes and Persians defeated King Nebuchadnezzar and took control of his empire. As an intelligent and loyal worker in the court of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah rose through the ranks to become the cup-bearer.3 Besides certifying that the wine served to Artaxerxes was safe, Nehemiah was coordinator, confidant and counselor.4 The position placed his life on the line every day but also gave Nehemiah great authority and high esteem.

Nehemiah had been prepared by God for the task at hand. When the plight of his exiled Jewish brothers and sisters came to his attention, he responded without hesitation. In spite of the intensity of the moment, his position had conditioned him to respond with poise and confidence.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)….to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:12b)

You, too, have been prepared. Life’s experiences, lessons and challenges have shaped who you are and what you do. The depth of your relationship with the Lord has given you a sense of direction and purpose. For this reason, you are bringing a set of gifts and abilities that can be helpful to the task at hand.

Today, as you set out to conquer the day, remember that God has prepared you for the challenges at hand.

Scripture Memory of the Day: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

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